The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected dorsolumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for verification of his Reserve service and additional VA treatment records. A physical examination is also required to distinguish between symptoms related to his service-connected condition and those from nonservice-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claim requires further development, including verification of his Reserve service and obtaining medical records, as well as a physical examination to differentiate the effects of his service-connected dorsolumbar strain from other back disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- dorsolumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2000
- Citation
- 0008382
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0008382.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his service-connected right shoulder bicipital tendonitis and bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain were denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to consider whether staged ratings are warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and retrieval of VA outpatient records. The issues include claims for higher ratings for service-connected right shoulder tendonitis/bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain, as well as an issue regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not resolved on its merits.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected dorsolumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the VA examiner found that his current range of motion and flare-ups warrant a higher rating up to 40 percent.
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